Effect of intracanal medicament on dentin penetration ability of root canal sealers: A confocal study

Background This study investigated the effect of three intracanal medicaments on the penetration ability of three different root canal sealers using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Materials and Methods 120 extracted single-rooted human teeth were used. The crowns were removed, and each canal was prepared. The teeth were divided into four groups (n=30): three medicament groups (calcium hydroxide (CH), triple antibiotic paste (TAP), and double antibiotic paste [DAP]) and one control group. 0.1% Rhodamine B was incorporated. After three weeks, the medicaments were removed, and then canals were filled with one of the following sealers: AHplus, MTAFillapex, and TotalFill (n=10). Fluorescein dye was added to the sealers. Horizontal sections (1 mm thick) were taken from the coronal, middle, and apical portions of each canal. Samples were then viewed under CLSM. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results No statistically significant differences were found for the percentages of penetration of the sealers (p>.05). Regarding the maximum penetration values, there was a significant decrease for root canal sealers except for the Ah plus in the CH group (p<.05). Conclusions Medicaments don’t significantly reduce the average penetration values of sealers.